On Wednesday, September 21, Troy Davis was executed by the State of Georgia for a crime he did not commit. I was there to photograph the events around this tragic injustice.

Like this journey to save Troy Davis, these photos are intense, emotional and the story is long. What I saw and felt and experienced this week in Georgia is beyond words. It is probably beyond photographs, but as a photographer, I have no other choice but to share what it is I am able to share. My conscience and my soul demands it. So bear with me.

I don't claim that these photos tell the story perfectly. Nor are all these photos the best that I can do. For various reasons, I was limited in what I could capture. The police and paramilitary forces did their best to limit movement and access (I was threatened with arrest at one point). My emotions overwhelmed me at times so that I could not, despite my strongest journalistic attempts, lift the camera to my eye and release the shutter. And as you will see toward the end, I was able to be in a place where I was not allowed (as a journalist, with a camera), so sensitivity to the family, the personal legal risks involved and the technical limitations of trying to conceal a camera all minimzed what I did capture. But I did what I could.

It will take you, the viewer, some time to go through all these photos and text below, but I hope you do. This story has to be told. And someone needs to see it.

NOTE: Below you will find 75 photos that I think represent the chronology of what transpired. I have included links to four other galleries which contain (in total) an additional 150 photos:

By the end of the day with no decision from the Board, those gathered close the vigil with a prayer and song.

Tuesday Morning

Early Tuesday morning, the Board announces that clemency has been rejected. Edward Dubose (right) and Laura Moye (left) wait in the back halls of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta before a press conference to deplore the decision and to call on the D.A. to take action to stop the execution.

Dr. Raphael Warnock addresses the press at 11:00 am in his own Ebenezer Baptist Church.

From left to right: Laura Moye and Edward Dubose address the press at 11:00 am.

Tuesday Evening

Hand painted banners sent from people from around the world (reading "The Blood is on our Hands") are laid out at the Capitol Building in Atlanta for the evening protest.

With all avenues of hope exhausted, people prepare for the worst. Just before the final press conference, Larry Cox gathers his thoughts in a church across from the prison where Troy waits.

At 3:30 pm, (from left to right) Rev. Al Sharpton, Big Boi (from Outkast) and Larry Cox address the media and supporters at the final press conference before the scheduled 7:00 pm execution.

During the press conference, the family of Troy Davis address the media, with Martina Correia, sister of Troy Davis, (sitting) speaking on their behalf. After her statement, she shares about her declining health that has left her confined to a wheel chair, but, with her strong will, announces she will stand up for her brother - rising from her seat, balanced by her son's hand (at right).

The entrance to the prison grounds where death row and the state execution facilities are located. A helicoper, hovering in the sky, circles the area continuously all afternoon and through the night.

Numerous law enforcement agencies are present to intimidate and control the crowds.

At 4:30 pm, students and activist from around the state arrive by at least five buses to the protest area across from the prison.

At 4:45 pm, SWAT team members move in to dispurse a gathering crowd once the prison's limit of 60 protesters is reached (top two photos). Protesters challenge and complain (bottom left photo), and at 4:55 pm, SWAT team members arrest a man who challenged the order to move from the public area (bottom right photo).

At 5:15 pm, protesters get active and loud in the designated protest pen on the prison grounds, awaiting the 7:00 pm execution time.

At 5:30 pm, two supporters of the execution gather in the opposite protest pen, separated from those against the execution. Their sign reads "Protesting this Protest! Lying then or lying now? Recanted testimony PHOOEY." A half-dozen more supporters came out in the course of the night.

At 6:15 pm, members of Troy's legal team enter the prison grounds to join the vigil in the protest pen.

The overflow crowd lines the road across from the prison grounds after the SWAT team relented and let the protesters take back the roadsides.

At 6:30 pm, riot police block the driveway entrance to the prison and at 6:42 pm, in anticipation of civil disobedience, more riot police move into position to prepare for confrontation and arrest. As the night continued on, more paramilitary and police forces lined the road outside the prison (pictured at right at 11:35 pm) creating a heavily forcified area.

Shortly after the riot team is in place, a protester is arrested as police and SWAT teams push back a surging crowd across from the prison grounds. At least five other protesters are soon arrested for crossing the police line.

At 6:57 pm, just three minutes before the scheduled time of execution, the crowd on the prison grounds begin a circle of prayer.

At 6:57 pm, just three minutes before the scheduled time of execution, Troy's nephew, De'Jaun Correia, looks toward the sky amidst the crowd.

At 6:58 pm, just two minutes before the scheduled time of execution, Larry Cox of Amnesty International pauses from a live interview, looking toward the prison.

At 7:00 pm, as protesters believe Troy is being executed, Rev. Lynn Hopkins and Carolyn Bond comfort each other outside the prison.

At 7:01 pm, during a live interview on Democracy Now!, a man reacts to the news that there has been a delay in the execution.

At 7:02 pm, people react to the sudden news that there has been a delay in the execution.

At 7:05 pm, a crowd gathers around the Troy family in the wake of the good news - with Martina Correia wiping tears in the center of it all.

At 7:04 pm, one of Troy's attorneys makes a call from the protest pen to find out about the delay in the execution.

At 7:06 pm, Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP President, addresses the crowd to announce that the execution has been delayed, but has not been stayed.

At 7:08 pm, Dr. Raphael Warnock, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, leads the crowd in prayer until there is more news about the delicate situation.

Democracy Now! continues with live coverage all night.

A sunset over the prison grounds and protest area at 7:34 pm.

At 8:09 pm, with more than an hour since the delay was announced, De'Jaun Correia, nephew of Troy Davis plays with his cousin Kiersten, waiting it out until further information about the delay is released. Troy's brother and sisters are at right.

At 8:50 pm, still with no news from the Court, National Action Network member Vizion Jones leads the crowd in prayer and song. NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous (left) bows in prayer.

Still in limbo, at 9:52 pm, Amnesty's Larry Cox and
Laura Moye (l to r) show wear from the long wait - nearly three hours since the execution was supposed to have taken place.

At 10:18 pm, Dr. Raphael Warnock, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP President, (standing over Martina Correia and other family members) bear the news that the Court delay has been lifted and the execution will proceed. The crowd stays in prayer and in solemn song as the minutes tick by.

At 11:08 pm, at the exact minute that Troy Davis died, Martina Correia brings a young college student over to Laura Moye (right) to sign up to get involved with Amnesty International. While the student writes down her contact information, Martina gazes toward the prison, not knowing that in that very moment, Troy is gone. Even in the darkness of death and her own ill health, Martina's spirit and drive carries on for the movement.

At 11:15 pm on the prison grounds, a prayer circle where Troy is remembered, and people dedicate themselves to keep working against the death penalty.

And at 11:52 pm, a final closing circle in the nearby church parking lot - at last out of view from the constant media attention. From here, everyone goes their own ways, not in defeat, but with dedication.